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Johanna Beach Campground
Take a break from your Great Ocean Road drive at this low-key campground. Camp between coastal sand dunes in lush, grassy hinterland and a prime surf beach for an unforgettable seaside stay. Take in the ocean vistas, go surfing, fishing or stroll along a section of the Great Ocean Walk. Humpback and Southern Right-whales can be spotted out to sea from July to September.
An unpatrolled beach, the westerly facing breaks of Johanna Beach are popular for experienced surfers. This is also a good surf fishing beach. Try your hand at catching mullet or salmon for dinner.
Johanna Beach is close to several other park attractions of natural wonder. Melba Gully, the Twelve Apostles, Cape Otway Lightstation and Triplet Falls are all within an hour's drive.
Please note, Johanna Beach is an important nesting area for the threatened Hooded Plover. This small bird nests just above the high tide between August and February. If you are walking along the beach please walk below the high tide mark. To help protect this species and other wildlife, dogs are permitted on lead only.
Johanna Beach Campground has 25 non-powered sites available to book. Amenities are basic with non-flush toilets and no showers.
Things to do
Great Ocean Walk
Melba Gully
Surfing
Fishing
How to get there
Johanna Beach Campground
When you're there
Need to know
Johanna Beach Campground
Accessibility
The Johanna Beach drive in camping area has a range of campsites located close to Johanna Beach. Sites are located on undulating grassland with some limited shelter provided by coastal vegetation. A number of the campsites are on slopes making them unsuitable for wheelchair access.
Parking is on the grass generally next to the campsite. There are no designated paths leading all the way to the toilets.
There are two standard toilet cubicles and a unisex accessible toilet servicing the camping area. Access is via the gravel service road and then up a short compacted gravel path leading to the toilets. There is no designated path leading from the campsites directly to the toilets; wheelchairs are required to go over grassy surfaces and parts of the service road.
The entrance to the accessible toilet cubicle is approximately 870mm wide with an inward swinging door. The door has a turnstile locking mechanism. There is ample room for manoeuvrability in the cubicle and there are two types of toilet roll dispensers. Grab railing is on the left side of the cubicle wall and extends behind the toilet. The cubicle also has a bench seat.
The vanity basin is located outside the toilet cubicles and is accessible for wheelchairs. It has a knob handle cold water tap and a stainless steel mirror.
Johanna Beach is not accessible by wheelchair from the camping area.
Be prepared and stay safe
- No solid fuel fires permitted.
- Fuel stoves or gas barbecues are preferred for cooking.
- Bring your own drinking water.
- Come and enjoy the peace and quiet – please, no generators.
- Please take your rubbish home with you.
Johanna Beach Campground is in the Great Otway National Park in the South West fire district. Bushfires can occur during the warmer months. It is your responsibility to check current and forecast weather conditions. Campfires cannot be lit on days of Total Fire Ban, however gas cookers can be used for preparing food.
Check the Fire Danger Rating and for days of Total Fire Ban at emergency.vic.gov.au, on the Vic Emergency App or call the Vic Emergency Hotline 1800 226 226.
Change of Conditions
Nature being nature, sometimes conditions can change at short notice. It’s a good idea to check this page ahead of your visit for any updates.
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Notices Affecting Multiple Parks
Park closure - Extreme weather
This park will be closed on Friday 9 January due to the Catastrophic and Extreme Fire Danger across Victoria. Stay home and stay safe.Stay up to date with warnings and incidents via VicEmergency: emergency.vic.gov.au -
Notices Affecting Multiple Sites
Kalimna Tramline link walk and Upper Kalimna is closed
The Kalimna Tramline link walk is closed due to damage to a pedestrian bridge. Walkers can still access the Lower Kalimna Waterfall via the Kalimna Falls Walking Track, which starts at Sheoak Picnic Area. Upper Kalimna Falls closed until further notice.Aire River Estuary - River closed
Parks Victoria and GORCAPA local operations are monitoring a closure of the Aire River mouth in the Great Otway National Park.The Great Ocean Walk on approach to the Aire West campground, and low areas of this campground and estuary will observe high water levels, until such time as the mouth reopens to the sea.If water levels become unsafe then closures may be required.Great Ocean Walk destination car parking at the Twelve Apostles visitor center during summer & Peak Visitation periods
During the busy peak visitation period at the Twelve Apostles precinct (from summer through to early autumn including school holidays, public holidays, long weekends & busy peak visitation weekends concluding after Chinese New Year / Easter), due to the sheer volume of visitors onsite, a traffic management program is in place to maximize public safety & ensure visitor experience. If you are planning to park your vehicle at the Twelve Apostles before walking the Great Ocean Walk (or sections of it including section 8) during this period, please communicate this information to onsite traffic control staff at the entrance & they will do their best to accommodate your vehicle in the main carpark. This will avoid your car remaining in the overflow carpark area which needs to be cleared and locked each night. Similarly, if you arrive at the Twelve Apostles to park your car at a time when traffic control are not onsite, or setting up, please park your vehicle in the main carpark area. Your assistance is greatly appreciated! -
Cora Lynn Cascades Walk (Great Otway National Park)
Cora Lynn Cascades Walking Track Closure
Cora Lynn Cascades walking track is currently closed due to damaged infrastructure. Please note this closure will affect you if you plan to walk from Allenvale through to Erskine falls and vice versa. -
Aire Crossing Campground (Great Otway National Park, Aire River Heritage River)
Aire Crossing Campsite - CLOSED
Due to EXTREME Fire Danger - access to Aire Crossing and Aire Crossing Camp site is CLOSED.Gates are closed at Young Creek Tk, Aire Crossing Tk and Halls Ridge Tk.Do not enter closed areas of National Park for your safety. Regulations apply.Aire Crossing Campground Closure 12th-16th January
Aire Crossing Campground, Aire Crossing Track and access from Youngs Creek Track will be closed from the 12th - 16th January 2026 for urgent track maintenance. -
Maits Rest Rainforest Walk (Great Otway National Park)
Maits Rest Carpark- bus access
Maits Rest Carpark is suitable for small coaster buses only. Large buses or coaches are advised to use Melba Gully walk track near Lavers Hill. -
Lake Elizabeth Campground (Great Otway National Park)
Lake Elizabeth Campground Upgrade Information
Lake Elizabeth Campground and the associated campground car park will be closed from: Tuesday 27th January 2026 to Tuesday 31st March 2026. We ask visitors to stay clear of the campground and campground carpark which will have signed closures in place.As you plan for your holidays please do not attempt to book the Lake Elizabeth campground from Tuesday 27th January - Tuesday 31st March 2026.The closure is for enhancing the camping experience and these renovations have been funded by the Victorian Government’s Victoria’s Great Outdoors program. Victoria’s Great Outdoors is a $106.6 million investment by the Victorian Government into better campgrounds, walking trails, 4WD tracks and visitor facilities across Victoria’s parks and state forests.All other areas at Lake Elizabeth will remain open, including ablutions, day use areas, walk to and around the lake.
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